A federal judge has issued an injunction against a California law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, which sought to ban artificial intelligence-generated campaign videos. The law, spurred by a parody video mocking Vice President Kamala Harris, was quickly challenged in court by Chris Kohls, the creator of the social media account “Mr. Reagan.”
The parody video triggered Newsom to pass legislation prohibiting AI-generated content during elections, a move many critics called unconstitutional. Kohls filed a lawsuit claiming the law violated his First Amendment rights, and the federal court agreed, delivering a blow to Newsom’s attempt to stifle digital content.
Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez, who presided over the case, declared that the law “acts as a hammer instead of a scalpel” and unjustly restricts free expression. Mendez ruled that much of the legislation was too broad, noting that it “unconstitutionally stifles the free and unfettered exchange of ideas.” He did allow for a small portion of the law to remain in place, requiring verbal disclosure of AI content in audio-only recordings, which he deemed “not unduly burdensome.”
The law had sparked widespread concern from media organizations, including the satire site Babylon Bee, which also filed a lawsuit against the state. Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon argued that the law would effectively censor parody, explaining that requiring disclaimers for satirical content would ruin the joke.
This ruling is being seen as a victory for free speech advocates and a setback for California’s attempt to regulate online content in a manner many view as a First Amendment violation. Mendez’s decision signals that Kohls is “likely to succeed” in proving the law is unconstitutional, providing relief to those concerned about the impact of such regulations on satire and parody.
The case highlights broader concerns about the Democratic Party’s recent challenges to fundamental constitutional principles, with critics accusing figures like Newsom of attempting to erode free speech and other protections guaranteed by the Constitution.